Umtamvuna Views: Ida rescues an endangered sea turtle

IDA Carter of Leisure Bay was walking along the beach near Drakes Bay last Monday morning. The sea was wild and the tide extremely high. She couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw a bedraggled, motionless turtle washed up on the sand.

ALSO READ : Umtamvuna Views: Help save Port Edward’s threatened grassland

On closer inspection, she saw that it was alive, but very weak. Ezemvelo Wildlife in Durban was contacted and arrangements were made for the poor creature to be taken to uShaka Marine World for urgent attention.

Jenny and Karel Koen of Leisure Bay transported the young adult hawksbill turtle in a washing basket to Port Shepstone. They were met by Jennifer Olbers of KZN Wildlife (Ezemvelo), who took the hapless turtle to uShaka.

A vet assessed the highly endangered species of turtle and found injuries on its carapace and flipper, probably a shark bite during the recent sardine run. It was in very poor condition. Jenny Koen conveys grateful thanks to everyone involved in saving this precious creature.

Come clean

This Saturday (15th) is International Coastal Clean-up Day. One again Leisure Bay Conservancy Group will spearhead the local beach-cleaning ‘gang’. Meet in the parking area between Kidds Beach and Peter Pan Cove. There are two separate starting times: 8 and 9am. Bags will be provided. People are urged to take part and can do so for as long as is comfortable. Contact Jenny Koen at 082 8573363 for more information.

Go out

Spuds Pub and Grill will host ‘Rock the Village’ this Saturday, September 15. ‘Circle of Stones’ and ‘Red Desert Ghost’ will perform. For further info, call 039 3111334.

Walk Trafalgar

Trafalgar Conservation Group invites everyone to ‘walk Trafalgar’ and enjoy the unique beauty and nature on Saturday, September 22. Pay R20 to take part and meet at Trafalgar’s main beach at 8.30am. Hamburgers will be on sale afterwards. Contact Tracy at 071 3490718.

Enter a team

Munster Bowling Club will host a fun potjie challenge on September 24 (Heritage Day). Get a four-man team together or come along and support the cooks. Entrance is R30 and includes a serving of potjiekos.

To enter (before September 15) or for more information, contact Cliff Moakes at 039 3135615. The winning team will walk away with R500 cash.

Gazebos, fires, tables and chairs will be provided for teams.

Dora and Brian win

The third South Coast 4-2-4 Bowls Tournament was played recently at Port Edward, Banners Rest, Munster and Southbroom bowling clubs. Bowlers came from as far afield as Pretoria, Gauteng and Durban and 60 teams comprising 120 bowlers competed.

Overall winners were Dora Vosloo and Brian Douthwaite of Margate Country Club. It was a wonderful day of team spirit, friendship and camaraderie. Organisers Janet and Boy Venter have already received entries for next year and it seems bowls is making some headway in putting the South Coast on the map.

See Dawn’s art

Some wonderful artwork will be on display in Marina Beach on Saturday, September 29, from 10am to 4pm. Dawn Broom (83) has lived in Marina Beach for seven years and just loves to paint – for her own satisfaction. Her art is primarily still life and will be available for viewing at 12 Ocean View Road. Contact Sonja at 083 4002645.

Spreading happiness

Last Saturday, members of Umzinto Christian Ministries visited Grace House of Hope Church in Bizana, supported by Trafalgar Presbyterian Church. The visit was to hand over gifts that had been received from the Billy Graham Foundation (USA) to the children.

American children pack gift boxes for children in Africa. Each child received a box, a lovely blanket and a Bible story book that they will discuss at Sunday School. Once all lessons are done, they graduate with a certificate. The day was topped off with breyani cooked by members of the Umzinto congregation. Grateful thanks are extended to the Umzinto team.

Weird weather

Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with. The sea has been wild for the past few days with exceptionally strong spring tides. Locals say they haven’t seen such high, powerful waves since 2007. Big sand dunes have disappeared and formerly submerged rocky clusters are out in the open. The snow on the Ingeli mountain range near Kokstad was clearly visible from the Izingolweni Road (just 4km from Port Edward) on Monday.

Small world

And this year’s brilliant show of wild flowers on the Cape West Coast and interior is spectacular. Your scribe and a companion took a six-day road trip and since no accommodation was booked, we stopped in at the small information office in the tiny dorp of Nieuwoudtsville at the top of the Vanrhyns Pass.

Phone calls were made and soon a warm and friendly woman arrived to guide us to her B&B. In the parking area, we noticed her car had an NPS number plate. The woman turned out to be none other than Lieutenant-Colonel Lizet Esterhuyse who had been based at Port Shepstone Saps for 20 years. After retiring three years ago, she relocated to Nieuwoudsville to look after her father. When he died, she set about restructuring the old family home into a cosy B&B. Her hospitality was outstanding and she commented “Philippa, take my greetings to the South Coast – Port Shepstone and my Saps colleagues have a special place in my heart!”

All news to Philippa.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram

For news straight to your phone, add us on WhatsApp 082 421 6033